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Group B, day 3: USA vs Greece

  • Thread starter Thread starter rikhardur2
  • Start date Start date

Group B, day 3: USA vs Greece

  • Total voters
    106
Z-O-N-E is the key for the greeks. americans got this weakness of playing in the halfcourt and forcing them into taking contested jumpshots wud be their big trouble.Also, greeks have to slow down the tempo of the game cus u dont want them running and doing alleyoops. In china-usa game, the 1st half was slow but when usa started pressing, it turned into uptempo then there was the blowout (i suppose greek guards can handle the ball better though). On Sofo, the 'baby shaq' guy or whatever u call him, probably wont have some good time again in the lane like he used to. he cant just fool around with Howard. anyways, wasnt Bosh the one assigned to him in 2006 worlds?

for usa, they badly need 3's in this one. i feel rle bad for tomorrow cus greeks are better perimieter defenders. michael redd, oh god, when will u be back??? anyways i guess, usa must give some minutes for Prince tomorrow cus yea, he can shoot from downtown too(oh.. i miss Billups and M.Miller from last yr's team usa). anyways, on defense, im SURE that Kobe will guard Spanoulis:D .

last 2006 greeks won bcus: 1.) spanoulis and sofo did most of the damage. but they got waywayway better defenders now. 2.) they did a good a job making it a halfcourt game. no problem on this issue yet cus, usa so far is not a good halfcourt team and got problems in shooting.

but i still give this to USA by 8-15. this will be a defensive game, so yea it will be ugly and low scoring.
 
I wonder how the fans of teams in group A feel about this 'well definitely meet them in the Semi's talk' by the Greek fans. Hell I wonder how Spain's fans feels about it, it's not like the US has locked up the top spot yet. The seedings aren't set yet people lets focus on the game tomorrow.
 
I would say USA will win this one because Greece always shows poor form at the start of every competition and starts to play their game in the knockout stages.
 
Summary of Greek commentaries on USA-Greece game

Summary of Greek commentaries on USA-Greece game

Team Comments: http://www.sport.gr/default.asp?pid=4&aid=18937

Coach Giannakis: We have to control the tempo, not commit turnovers and be focused on rebounding. The tone of the game will be totally different from that of 06 because it is not a knock-out game.

V. Spanoulis: We will be motivated because we will be playing against great players. The biggest difference in this year's USA team is Kobe, who is a great player and can make the difference.

Journalists, Commentators and Coaches:
Filipos Sirigos: http://www.sport-fm.gr/article/142193
The US team is better than in 06. Their talent alone will not guarantee victory however. They will have to play as a team, especially on defense. We willhave to disrupt their flow and force them to play by instinct alone. A victory against the US is not necessary at this stage, since we will likely get 3rd place whether we win or lose. There is no reason to beat the US now; better to save it for our possible meeting in the medal round.

Giorgos Bartzokas, coach of Olimpia Larisa: http://www.sport24.gr/html/ent/373/ent.247373.asp
Schortsianitis will likely play more in this game. The US team plays exceptional man-to-man defense putting a lot of pressure on the ball handler, forcing turnovers and creating fast break opportunities. The US will likely full-court press to prevent Greece from running its pick and roll offense in the half court, they will pressure the ballhandler to block the passing lanes. Their low shooting percentage from 3 is not a weakness - it merely shows that their superior athleticism induces them to attack the basket more. The US team shows incredible flexibility at positions 1-4, with Lebron, Carmelo and Kobe being able to play all positions. The US team is much improved from that of 06 - in order for Greece to win we will have too have a good day and they will have to have a bad day. It is unclear whether Greece will choose to full-court press, because if the press is beaten the US will be able to play the up tempo game they favor.

Stefanos Triantafillos: http://sport24.yooblog.gr/2008/08/13/412/#more-412
The US game so far has been built around intense man-to-man defense, with extreme pressure placed on the ballhandler leading to fastbreak points. The US has not been strong in outside shooting so far. Expect the US to play with small line-ups in order to facilitate switches on pick and roll defense. Expect Greece to play Baby Shaq more and to use a zone defense. The American commentators [read: Sheridan] are talking about the tough, physical defense of Greece. We should take this as a compliment.
 
The whole notion that seems to run around some media and fans about "saving the victory for the KO stage" seems to me absurd and ridiculous.You can't save a victory for later,and it's naive to believe that such professional players won't play to win in this level of competition.Maybe they won't give their 100%,which I doubt, that early but this
here is no reason to beat the US now; better to save it for our possible meeting in the medal round.
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that Syriggos said is laughable! :roll:
 
Question: Has Kidd taken a single shot in this tourny so far? If not, is he trying to hold a record for the only starter not to take a single field goal? :D
 
So we have already the win and we are able to choose when to use it.
Awesome! -Eric Cartman's style
 
christodoulou76 said:
Team Comments: http://www.sport.gr/default.asp?pid=4&aid=18937

Coach Giannakis: We have to control the tempo, not commit turnovers and be focused on rebounding. The tone of the game will be totally different from that of 06 because it is not a knock-out game.

V. Spanoulis: We will be motivated because we will be playing against great players. The biggest difference in this year's USA team is Kobe, who is a great player and can make the difference.

Journalists, Commentators and Coaches:
Filipos Sirigos: http://www.sport-fm.gr/article/142193
The US team is better than in 06. Their talent alone will not guarantee victory however. They will have to play as a team, especially on defense. We willhave to disrupt their flow and force them to play by instinct alone. A victory against the US is not necessary at this stage, since we will likely get 3rd place whether we win or lose. There is no reason to beat the US now; better to save it for our possible meeting in the medal round.

Giorgos Bartzokas, coach of Olimpia Larisa: http://www.sport24.gr/html/ent/373/ent.247373.asp
Schortsianitis will likely play more in this game. The US team plays exceptional man-to-man defense putting a lot of pressure on the ball handler, forcing turnovers and creating fast break opportunities. The US will likely full-court press to prevent Greece from running its pick and roll offense in the half court, they will pressure the ballhandler to block the passing lanes. Their low shooting percentage from 3 is not a weakness - it merely shows that their superior athleticism induces them to attack the basket more. The US team shows incredible flexibility at positions 1-4, with Lebron, Carmelo and Kobe being able to play all positions. The US team is much improved from that of 06 - in order for Greece to win we will have too have a good day and they will have to have a bad day. It is unclear whether Greece will choose to full-court press, because if the press is beaten the US will be able to play the up tempo game they favor.

Stefanos Triantafillos: http://sport24.yooblog.gr/2008/08/13/412/#more-412
The US game so far has been built around intense man-to-man defense, with extreme pressure placed on the ballhandler leading to fastbreak points. The US has not been strong in outside shooting so far. Expect the US to play with small line-ups in order to facilitate switches on pick and roll defense. Expect Greece to play Baby Shaq more and to use a zone defense. The American commentators [read: Sheridan] are talking about the tough, physical defense of Greece. We should take this as a compliment.
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Good stuff, thats exactly what I was looking for. Coach Bartzokas sounds like a smart man.
 
kestas said:
so is there a single US site that provides good basketball writing? some draft oriented sites sometimes know a few foreign names, but all they usually care about is stats of kids with NBA potential and not the wider picture.
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I should have been more clear. ESPN.com does have good writing, just the people that leave comments in the forums are usually idiots. Chad Ford on ESPN has some write-ups about international players, but yeah its usually through the prism of NBA potential. I don't know of any American sites that go that in depth on international players without mentioning the NBA
 
Terps54321 said:
I should have been more clear. ESPN.com does have good writing, just the people that leave comments in the forums are usually idiots. Chad Ford on ESPN has some write-ups about international players, but yeah its usually through the prism of NBA potential. I don't know of any American sites that go that in depth on international players without mentioning the NBA
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Here is Chris Sheridan's evaluation of the 12 Greek players:
http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summe...lumnist=sheridan_chris&page=USA-Greece-080813
 
Here's some stuff from David Thorpes ESPN Insider(you have to pay to read) fan chat:
--------------------------------------------------------------
Tony LA, CA : Hi torpeedo-eshh You rock lets go greece to upset US. Greece is a better basketball team and will pull the upset. US will maske it close but Greece should pull this one quite easily.

David Thorpe: Easily is a bit much. But seeing Greece win would not be a shocker at all.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Rich (San Jose): YO Thorpe! Impressions overall & predictions for USA basketball? USA! USA! USA!

David Thorpe: Honestly, I like our whole plan now to field a competitive team. But I'm not sure we "get it" yet. Fielding our best team and getting them together early does not mean we'll waltz to a gold medal. I'm frustrated that we have not figured that out yet.
--------------------------------------------------------------
SPAIN: USA gambles to much on defense trying to get the steal, do you think that smart teams like GReece or Spain can Use back doors + more size inside to face the USA TEAM??

David Thorpe: Of course. But playing defense that way is smart for USA, still.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Oakland, CA: Can you get word to Vanessa to fedex Kobes jumper to China ASAP? Thank you, Mr. Thorpe

David Thorpe: He'll be fine. Relax.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Mike (CA): How come Melo's been playing so poorly? He was the best player at the 2006 Worlds and the 2007 American Championships.

David Thorpe: He looks heavy to me.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Tom (Toledo, OH): Is there still any debate as to who the best player on this USA team (and probably the world) is? Kobe goes 1-15 from 3 pt range, jacks up tough shot after tough shot (on an all star team!) and despite being the teams "defensive stopper" it is lebron flying all over the court getting steals and monster blocks, while also scoring, rebounding, and passing better. to me, after watching them both play vs. the celtics in the playoffs and now team usa, its pretty clear who the best player in the world is - LEBRON!!!

David Thorpe: I think most "experts" would say LeBron is the world's best player now. But one expert thinks it's D wade, when healthy.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Paul (Toronto): Have you seen Roko Ukic play any games at the Olympics? Will he have any impact on the Raptors next year?

David Thorpe: He's nice. Should be the backup pg.
 
I wanted to ask- why Lebron is throwing that flour before the game? Is he thinking that he'll shoot better with floured hands?

Yes, that's totally irritating...
 
This year USA is much stronger then that in 2006, thats for sure.. And Greece, hmm i don't know, if they are planning to play like they played in last years EC, then i just cant see Greece winning.. For one team Greece defence might seem very hard for another a peace of cake, depends on a play style, its a very subjective point of view.. To say the truth, i really didn't like Greece in EC because of their fan superb expectations and boasting compared to NTs poor performance.. I still can't believe how they managed to get to 4th place (they absolutely didn't deserve that).. That thing said, i hope that Greece NT got stronger and i wish them good luck, they have very nice fan support by the way :)
 
Terps54321 said:
How accurate do you think his evaluations are?
Click to expand...


quite aqqurate. I think he slighlty underestimates Papaloukas, but all in all, a good analyis.
 
DrGonzo said:
quite aqqurate. I think he slighlty underestimates Papaloukas, but all in all, a good analyis.
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Allthough I have a strong feeling that we will see Printezis on court tomorrow!
 
IMHO USA. But I hope with not a big difference. The key is to show their mortality, then, USA will get a defeat in playoffs, I hope :D
 
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